Matt Dillon is the main character from Gunsmoke. He serves as a marshal in Dodge City, KS to preserve law and order in the western frontier of the 1870s. His character was created by John Meston. In the radio version, Matt is portrayed by William Conrad while the TV version he is portrayed by James Arness. The versions of these characters have differences as well. Arness's version of Matt was more reclined to violence but had a better understanding in foibles in people. In other words, he could find a weakness in them.